Garlic is not only a kitchen staple but also one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow at home. Its bold, savory aroma and flavor make it a favorite in countless recipes from sauces to stir-fries. Beyond its culinary value, garlic is also known for its medicinal and pest-repelling qualities. Whether you have a large garden or just a few containers, these 10 aromatic garlic plant varieties are perfect for home gardeners looking for fresh, homegrown flavor.
1. Softneck Garlic (Allium sativum)
Softneck Garlic is the most common type of garlic you’ll find in supermarkets and one of the easiest to grow. It’s well-suited for mild climates and produces multiple layers of cloves, typically arranged around a soft, pliable stalk. Softneck varieties are known for their excellent storage capabilities, often lasting up to 9 months. The mild, classic garlic flavor makes it perfect for everyday cooking. It grows best in well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of sunlight and requires minimal care.
2. Hardneck Garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon)
Hardneck Garlic is a favorite among gourmet chefs for its rich, complex flavor. Unlike softneck types, it grows a stiff central stalk called a scape, which is also edible and adds a mild, garlicky kick to dishes. Hardneck garlic thrives in colder climates and produces fewer but larger cloves. While its storage life is shorter (about 3–6 months), its intense aroma and depth of flavor make it a must-grow for serious garlic lovers. Plant in well-drained soil and full sun for best results.
3. Elephant Garlic (Allium ampeloprasum)
Despite its name, Elephant Garlic isn’t a true garlic — it’s actually a type of leek. However, it produces massive cloves with a mild, slightly sweet garlic flavor. Perfect for roasting or adding to dishes where you want a gentler garlic taste, Elephant Garlic grows large bulbs weighing up to a pound each. It’s easy to cultivate in well-drained soil with full sun exposure and prefers cooler growing conditions. Plus, its tall, striking flower stalks add ornamental appeal to any garden.
4. Creole Garlic
Creole Garlic is a heat-loving, beautifully colored variety with red to purple-skinned cloves and a rich, spicy flavor. It performs exceptionally well in warmer climates and offers a strong aroma ideal for bold dishes. Creole garlic typically matures later than other types, but it rewards gardeners with beautiful, high-quality bulbs. Its cloves store well for several months and can be used fresh or dried. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soil and full sun, making it perfect for Southern and coastal regions.
5. Asiatic Garlic
Known for its early maturity and bold flavor, Asiatic Garlic produces large bulbs with a rich, pungent taste. The cloves are typically wrapped in reddish or purple skins and are perfect for stir-fries, sauces, and marinades. This hardneck variety thrives in both cool and warm climates and is one of the earliest types to be harvested in summer. Asiatic garlic grows quickly and is ideal for gardeners eager to enjoy fresh, homegrown garlic without a long wait.
6. Turban Garlic
Turban Garlic is an exotic, early-season garlic variety with beautiful, colorful wrappers ranging from white to deep purple. Its bold, zesty flavor adds a punch to any dish, and its large, easy-to-peel cloves are a favorite in the kitchen. Turban garlic prefers warm, sunny conditions and is one of the first types ready for harvest in late spring or early summer. Its striking appearance and aromatic qualities make it a fantastic addition to herb gardens and raised beds alike.
7. Rocambole Garlic
If you’re after a garlic variety with deep, rich flavor, Rocambole Garlic is a top pick. It’s known for its full-bodied taste, easy-to-peel cloves, and distinctive curling scapes. Rocambole prefers colder climates and produces around 6–11 large cloves per bulb. Though its shelf life is shorter than softneck types, its superior flavor more than makes up for it. Plant in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil, and enjoy the added bonus of harvesting its tender, edible scapes in early summer.
8. Purple Stripe Garlic
Visually stunning and packed with flavor, Purple Stripe Garlic features vibrant purple-streaked skins and a slightly sweet, rich taste. It’s one of the best varieties for baking whole due to its balanced, mellow flavor when roasted. A hardneck type, Purple Stripe grows well in cooler climates and typically produces 8–12 cloves per bulb. It matures in late spring or early summer and adds ornamental appeal to garden beds with its tall stalks and delicate blossoms.
9. Silverskin Garlic
Silverskin Garlic is a highly reliable, softneck variety known for its impressive storage life — lasting up to a year in proper conditions. It produces tight, silvery-white bulb wrappers and layers of flavorful cloves. Its adaptable nature makes it suitable for both cool and mild climates, and it’s one of the easiest varieties for beginners. Silverskin’s rich aroma and classic garlic taste work beautifully in everything from sautés to roasts. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soil and full sun.
10. Artichoke Garlic
Named for the way its cloves layer like an artichoke’s leaves, Artichoke Garlic is a dependable, softneck variety known for its large bulbs and mild, versatile flavor. It typically produces 12–20 cloves per bulb, making it a prolific option for home gardeners. This variety stores well and is one of the easiest to grow, thriving in both cool and warm climates. Artichoke garlic matures quickly, making it ideal for gardeners eager to enjoy homegrown garlic in midsummer.